GRAPES. 2838 
away,this nutriment gives strength and vigor to the canes and buds which 
are left,which thus start earlier and with more force and life in the spring. 
Now, while close fall pruning is one of the secrets of the grape growers’ 
success, yet I have serious doubts as to whether we do not cut back too 
closely some of our fast growing varieties, like Rogers Hybrids. Would 
it not be better to leave on more wood, and if too many bunches of grapes 
appear then thin them out? May it not be possible that the reason that 
some of the vigorous and rapid growing Rogers Hybrids have bunches 
which are lacking in compactness, is owing to the fact that they grow so 
fast that they throw their fruit,as well as to a want of self-fertilizing ca- 
pacity. And these fast growing varieties often throw out many side 
shoots which should be taken off, as they sap the very life blood of the 
bearing canes? Be careful in pruning not to cut’too close to the bud, as 
it may thereby dry out. 
I do not believe in the system of training vines with two arms extend- 
ing in different directions. They look well, both in pictures and on the 
trellis, and may be commendable for a warm climate, but the experiment 
brought a loss to me of several vines, which invariably split in two when 
I attempted to lay them down for fall covering. The renewal system of 
pruning undoubtedly has many advantages, but as those for whom I am 
writing will probably do as I have done, never practice it, I shall not dis- 
cuss it, Simply saying that I raise good crops of grapes each year by the 
method I have adopted. 
SUMMER PRUNING. 
Here I shall be brief, tor with all my experience I don’t feel certain as 
to the best course to pursue. During the season of 1891 I had the best 
fiavored and largest grapes which I ever raised and did not prune any ex- 
cept I pinched back a few of the most rampant growers. I also had a 
heavy crop. The quality surpassed those of anv other season. I believe 
that good crops of grapes can be raised yearly with little or no Summer 
pruning. Of one thing, however, I feel certain, that the leaves should 
not be picked off. They are the lungs of the vine, and its life depends 
upon the leaves. Without leaves the plant would die. Pick off the 
leaves and the fruit will not ripen. And the fruit needs the shade of the 
leaves. The leaves need sun, but not so with the fruit. The finest and 
best fiavored grapes hang in shaded places and where the hot sun cannot 
scald them. It is the greatest folly to remove the foliage of the grape 
vine. No matter who practices it, it is pernicious. If ever allowable it is 
only when the leaves become very thick and mildew sets in, and air and 
sunshine are admitted to get rid of it. 
LAYING DOWN AND COVERING. 
Vines can be laid down immediately after fall pruning, or at any time’ 
before cold, freezing weather. If left till the vines are frozen, they will 
break, and so they should be laid down while the vine is pliable and will 
bend easily. Thevine should be pressed down close to the soil and fast- 
ened with staples driven in across it or held down by a stone, brick or 
stick of wood, placed so as not to mar the bark of the vine. If, when 
the vines are first set out, they are placed at an angle of 45° in the row, 
and in the direction they are to be laid down, it will be much easier and 
safer bending them to the ground than if set out perpendicularly. The 
month of November is a good time to cover vines. This climate is too se- 
